Presidential guard designated Tombel Chief.

This was on March 6. The Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Kupe-Muanenguba, Nguia Beina Theophile, supervised the exercise.

The event marked a four-year race to get a successor for late Chief Bernard Salle who died in 2022.

In attendance were traditional authorities, administrative officials, members of the royal family and the population.

The SDO used chiefly tree of Tombel to establish the legitimacy of Nkalle Theophile as chief.

According to English language newspaper, The Ultimate, which focuses on Kupe Muanenguba Division, the SDO said the Ndabekim family constitutes the royal lineage of Ngab-Tombel.

The Ultimate reported that Nbabesalle, going by the SDO, is considered a sub-family within the royal structure. The administrator is said to have added that the chiefly tree traces the origin of the chieftaincy to Kolle Nkalle, the first traditional ruler of Tombel.

The SDO is said to have declared during the event that Nkalle Theophile Salle is the son of Ndobe Nkalle and the grandson of David Nkalle. 

This, the administrator is said to have added, makes the new chief a direct descendant of the founding royal lineage.

Citing the 1977 chieftaincy law, the administrator is also said to have told the population that when it comes to the chieftaincy institution, only the administration, the royal family and kingmakers are concerned.

“This is not an invention or creation of the SDO of Kupe-Muanenguba. When you apply this law, you are doing the will of God and the will of your ancestors,” The Ultimate quoted Nguia as having said.

He challenged the Chief-designate to be the father of the entire population of Tombel. 

“All the people of Ngab-Tombel and their relatives are now your children,” he said. 

Nguia also advised Chief-designate to listen to counsel and work for peace. The SDO also asked kingmakers and members of the royal family to support the new chief.

Chief-designate Nkalle on his part pledged to “work for unity, peace and development for our people”. He praised the administration for being transparent in the selection process.

Alobwede Ivo Enongene, a member of the royal family is said to have remarked that “…this dream has become a reality”.

Before the designation of Chief Nkalle, three other persons viz:  Ebong Peter Ngube, Eko Manfred and Otto Mebone Elung, are also said to have eyed the throne but were eliminated in the course of consultations.

The article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3728 of Wednesday March 11, 2026